Hong, Silver, Son open online Instagram business

Racking over a few hundred dollars in sales within three months of opening, an online resale shop co-founded by junior Sylvia Silver and seniors Yayi Hong and Sylvia Son has provided the owners with useful experience in the business world. The girls earn money by reselling “trendy” clothing items on Instagram to an audience of mostly teenage followers.

Their inventory consists of new and used clothing that is sold below retail price. They post pictures of these clothes on Instagram with captions that describe the brand, price, and size. Followers interested in purchasing the items can contact the account, and the transaction will take place either in person or online, depending on the buyer’s location.

“Selling clothes that I don’t wear or fit [into] anymore helps me make money since there’s always going to be someone looking for something similar,” Hong said. “[The clothes are sold at an] affordable price, which convinces people more to buy it.”

The trio decided to start their own online business because they were inspired by other Instagram accounts that sold clothes.

“I have bought from different [clothing accounts] on Instagram in the past, and many of them sell clothes at a reasonable price that is still under retail,” Hong said. “The sellers make a good profit from what I’ve observed, which is what [also] inspired me to start selling [clothes].”

Hong and Son both describe how the business has given them the opportunity to meet people with similar goals and interests.

“One of my favorite parts about the business is being able to join a community of other online sellers,” Son said. “I promote [the business] on a Facebook clothes group, where people, [in the 626 area], post about what they sell.”

Along the way, the owners have picked up some business techniques. One of them involves sharing “proofs,” or pictures of satisfied customers who have received their shipping packages. This is done so that new followers will be ensured that the business is safe and trustworthy.

Hong, Silver, and Son sell their clothes on a shared Instagram account, @btqmotherpackers.